Fern on marriage split: ‘It was a difficult year but now I’m fine again’
PRESENTER Fern Britton has opened up about her split with TV chef Phil Vickery, insisting: “We will always be connected.”
Fern, 62, and Phil, 58, revealed in January they had decided to separate after a 20-year marriage.
And Fern, best known for her roles on Ready Steady Cook and This Morning, admits she has experienced “very low” points during a difficult year.
She told Woman & Home magazine: “There are times when I’ve been very low. It was a difficult year, but now I’m fine again. Phil and I are both OK.
“We simply needed to follow our own paths.
“We realised we weren’t having the kind of life we once did.
“It seemed right to say ‘thank you’ and move on.
But we do have a good friendship.
“Phil and I had the greatest fun together and we have the most beautiful daughter together, Winnie.
We will always be connected.”
The couple released identical statements in January revealing they had decided to separate.
Their joint announcement said: “We will always share a great friendship.”
The pair had met in the 1990s while appearing together on BBC programme Ready Steady Cook.
They later worked together on ITV’s This Morning.
The stars married in 2000 and then renewed their vows in 2008. Daughter Winnie is now 18.
Fern added: “Since turning 60, I’m re-powering at life. Not that you have to change, but you have to find the basic, real version of who you are and ask, ‘What does that person want?’
“I’m getting there and it’s really exciting.”
Fern also admitted in the interview she always felt like second best during many of her on-screen roles.
The presenter has also co-hosted Soapstar Superstar and All Star Mr & Mrs.
She said: “Throughout my career, I’ve noticed a gender problem.
“Looking back, I can see how I always worked with a male presenter and, somehow, it was always the guy who was on top.”
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